The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers the Bachelor of Arts degree
in Foreign Languages and Cultures, with options in French, German, and Spanish. The
department also offers the Bachelor of Arts in French Teacher Education and the Bachelor
of Arts in Spanish Teacher Education. Minor programs are available in French, German,
and Spanish. The formal study of one of the languages consists of courses in the language
as well as courses in the literatures and cultures of the countries where these languages are
spoken.

The study of language, culture, and literature prepares the student for advanced and
graduate study in literature and/or language, and for the use of language in business and
industry, government at the federal, state, or local level, law enforcement, libraries and
museums, parks and recreation, social services and health-related fields, transportation and
tourism, and numerous other areas having a multicultural clientele.

Students completing the Teacher Education Program develop pedagogical skills and
proficiency in the language which lead to licensure to teach the language in Illinois at the
K–12 level.

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures encourages students to double
major in Foreign Languages and Cultures and another field in which linguistic and cultural
expertise can be utilized to reach professional or academic goals. To make it possible to
complete a double major in FLC and another discipline in four years, the department has
developed joint curriculum sequences with the following departments:

Communication Sciences and Disorders

English

History

For more information, please contact the Foreign Languages and Literatures advisor or the
department office.

Honors Curriculum—Academically qualified students in this department are encouraged to complete an honors curriculum in University Honors, Departmental Honors, or General Honors. All Honors students must complete the one-hour honors colloquium (G H 299). General Honors includes General Honors coursework. Departmental Honors includes honors work in the major. University Honors combines Departmental and General Honors. For more information about honors curricula see the Centennial Honors College page of the catalog or visit the Centennial Honors College website at wiu.edu/Honors.

Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Program—An integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program is available for the Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Cultures: Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences. An integrated degree program provides the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates to earn both degrees in five years. Please refer to the Graduate Studies catalog for details about the integrated program.

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts—Foreign Languages and Cultures

All students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Cultures must complete
I, II, III, IV, V, and VI below, and the foreign language/global issues requirement for the
major#. Students majoring in Foreign Languages and Cultures select one of three options
(French, German, or Spanish) as the primary language. The minimum semester hour
requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h. All students seeking the Bachelor of
Arts in Foreign Languages and Cultures must complete a minimum of 9 s.h. of upper-level
(300- or 400-level) coursework in the major language at WIU.

Bachelor of Arts—French Teacher Education

Bachelor of Arts candidates in French Teacher Education must complete I, II, III, IV, V, and
VI below, and the foreign language/global issues requirement for the major#. The minimum
semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h. All students seeking the
Bachelor of Arts in French Teacher Education must complete 34 s.h. in the major language,
of which 24 s.h. must be in courses numbered 300 or above. These upper-division courses
must include 326, 327 or 328, 400-level literature, and 400-level civilization.

In accordance with the Illinois State Board of Education licensure rules, all candidates
seeking teacher licensure are required by Western Illinois University to obtain a grade of “C”
or better in all directed General Education courses, all core courses, and all courses in the
major. Note a “C-” is below a “C”.

Required Study Abroad with minimum of 12 s.h. of University
credit, preferably in a single program but possibly in two programs
of 6 s.h. each. Students should take Study Abroad courses that
substitute for coursework required for the major. These courses
will depend on university setting: 0 s.h.

* Teacher Education candidates are required to complete the Oral Proficiency Interview
described in “ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines—Speaking” published by the American
Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) prior to student teaching. A score
at the “advanced-low” level is required. This requirement became effective July 1, 2004.
Contact the department chairperson for further information.

Bachelor of Arts—Spanish Teacher Education

Bachelor of Arts candidates in Spanish Teacher Education must complete I, II, III, IV, V, and
VI below, and the foreign language/global issues requirement for the major#. The minimum
semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h. All students seeking the
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Teacher Education must complete 34 s.h. in the major language,
of which 24 s.h. must be in courses numbered 300 or above. These upper-division courses
must include 326, 327 or 328, 400-level literature, and 400-level civilization.

In accordance with the Illinois State Board of Education licensure rules, all candidates
seeking teacher licensure are required by Western Illinois University to obtain a grade of “C”
or better in all directed General Education courses, all core courses, and all courses in the
major. Note a “C-” is below a “C”.

Required Study Abroad with minimum of 12 s.h. of University
credit, preferably in a single program but possibly in two programs
of 6 s.h. each. Students should take Study Abroad courses that
substitute for coursework required for the major. These courses
will depend on university setting: 0 s.h.

* Teacher Education candidates are required to complete the Oral Proficiency Interview
described in “ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines—Speaking” published by the American
Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) prior to student teaching. A score
at the “advanced-low” level is required. This requirement became effective July 1, 2004.
Contact the department chairperson for further information.

Minors

Minor in French, German, or Spanish: 16 s.h.

6 s.h. of upper-division coursework required with at least one course (3 s.h.) taken at WIU.

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement into the foreign language program may be achieved by one of
the following: 1) completion of four years of high school foreign language study (in the
same language); 2) scoring above the beginning level on the departmental placement
examination; 3) completion of the College Entrance Board Advanced Placement
Examination (CEEB); 4) completion of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
College credit may be obtained by passing CEEB or CLEP. Students beginning college
language study at the 300- or 400-level may qualify, upon application, for advanced
placement credit (equivalent to 122, 223, 224) by completing two 300- or 400-level courses (in the same language) with grades of C or better. Students who begin at the 224-level
may qualify, upon application, for advanced intermediate placement credit (equivalent to
122 and 223) by completing 224 and one 300-level class (in the same language) with a
grade of C or better. Students who begin at the 223-level may qualify, upon application,
for intermediate placement credit (equivalent to 122) by completing 223 with a grade of
C or better. Please note that a grade of C- does not fulfill this requirement. Credit cannot
be earned for courses numbered 121, 122, 223, or 224 which are more elementary than
coursework already completed, unless the credit is earned through Advanced Placement.
Students earning the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy will receive credit for courses
numbered 121, 122, 223, and 224 in the specified language.

Course Descriptions

EDUCATION (EDUC)

439 Foreign Language Methods. (3) An exploration
of current foreign language teaching methodologies
and techniques through assigned readings, discussion,
and practical application such as microteaching.
Prerequisite: EIS 301 or consent of instructor.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE (F L)

101 Introductory Seminar in World Languages
and Cultures. (3) (General Education/Humanities)
(Global Issues) Introduces the content and methods
of foreign language scholarship. Centers on a particular
topic or theme within the context of (a) non-Englishspeaking
culture(s). Methods may include linguistics,
cultural studies, film studies, literary studies,
interdisciplinary approaches, and/or pedagogy.

350 Introduction to Contemporary Critical Theory.
(3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) This
course, to be taught in English, will introduce students
to critical theories that shape literary, artistic, and
cultural studies as they apply to foreign languages.
Prerequisites: ENG 180, 280; junior standing or consent
of instructor.

480 (Cross-listed with WS 480) Sexuality in
German and Austrian Culture. (3) Examines the
representation of sexuality in film, literature, and nonfiction
of German-speaking countries in the twentieth
and twenty-first centuries. Not open to students with
credit for WS 480. Prerequisite: QS 100 or junior
standing.

490 Senior Capstone. (1) Students practice acting as
educated resources in their primary foreign language
and culture. Self-reflection and future goals are
formulated in individual portfolios that serve as final
assessment for the major. Students are required to take
an oral proficiency interview. Prerequisites: senior
standing or permission of the department chairperson.

499 Selected Topics in Foreign Languages and
Literatures. (3) Seminar in topics related to foreign
languages, literatures, and cultures. Taught in English.
Prerequisites: junior standing or consent of the
instructor.

CHINESE (CHIN)

121 Elementary Chinese I. (4) (General Education/
Humanities) Development of the four basic skills
(in Mandarin Chinese): listening, speaking, reading,
and writing. Not open to students who have had two
years of high school Chinese without permission of the
department chairperson.

223 Intermediate Chinese I. (3) (General
Education/Humanities) Continued development
of the four basic language skills with increased
emphasis on reading and culture. Class conducted
in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHIN 122 or appropriate
score on placement examination administered by the
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

FRENCH (FR)

(Language Skills Courses)

121 Elementary French I. (4) (General Education/
Humanities) Development of the four basic skills:
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Not open to
students who have had two years of high school French
without permission of the department chairperson.

122 Elementary French II. (4) (General Education/
Humanities) Continuation of Elementary French
I. Development of listening, speaking, reading, and
writing skills along with cross-cultural insights and
appreciation. Prerequisite: FR 121 or appropriate
score on placement examination administered by the
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

223 Intermediate French I. (3) (General Education/
Humanities) Continued development of the four basic
language skills with increased emphasis on reading
and culture. Class conducted in French. Prerequisite:
FR 122 or appropriate score on placement examination
administered by the Department of Foreign Languages
and Literatures.

302 Commercial French. (3) An introduction to
business practices in France, with emphasis on business
vocabulary, written and oral communication, and the
role of culture and cultural differences in business
transactions. Reading and translation of commercial
documents. Prerequisite: completion of FR 224 or
equivalent.

401 Advanced French Grammar. (3) An intensive
study of advanced French grammar with practice in its
application. Prerequisite: FR 326 or equivalent.

(Literature and Civilization Courses)

327 Introduction to French Literature. (3) An
introduction to critical reading and appreciation of
French literature, surveying representative texts from
major periods and genres. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FR 224 or equivalent.
IAI: H3 916.

328 Masterpieces of French Literature. (3) A study
of selected masterworks representing major periods
and genres of French literature. Conducted in French.
Prerequisite: FR 224 or equivalent.
IAI: H3 917.

404 French Civilization and Culture I. (3) An
overview of cultural, social, political, and religious
history of France from the Middle Ages to the French
Revolution, with special readings and reports on
individuals, events, and socio-cultural phenomena of
the times. Conducted in French.

499 Selected Topics in French Language and
Literature. (3, repeatable for different topics to no
maximum)Prerequisite: FR 327 and consent of the
instructor.

GERMAN (GER)

(Language Skills Courses)

121 Elementary German I. (4) (General Education/
Humanities) Development of the four basic skills:
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Not open to
students who have had two years of high school German
without permission of the department chairperson.

122 Elementary German II. (4) (General Education/
Humanities) Continuation of Elementary German
I. Development of listening, speaking, reading, and
writing skills along with cross-cultural insights and
appreciation. Prerequisite: GER 121 or appropriate
score on placement examination administered by the
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

223 Intermediate German I. (3) (General
Education/Humanities) Continued development of
the four basic language skills with increased emphasis
on reading and culture. Class conducted in German.
Prerequisite: GER 122 or appropriate score on placement
examination administered by the Department of Foreign
Languages and Literatures.

326 German Composition. (3) Intensive practice in
written expression and composition. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: ENG 180
and 280, and GER 224 or equivalent.

(Literature and Civilization Courses)

327 Introduction to German Literature. (3) An
introduction to critical reading and appreciation of
German literature, surveying representative texts from
major periods and genres. Conducted in German.
Prerequisite: GER 224 or equivalent.
IAI: H3 916.

337 (Cross-listed with HIST 337) The Holocaust. (3)
(General Education/Multicultural Studies) (Global
Issues) Examines the pre-history, history, and posthistory
of the Holocaust and its representations from
a German Studies perspective and within the broader
context of European culture. Not open to students with
credit for HIST 337. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or GER 224 or
consent of instructor.

361 Field Study Travel. (1–3, repeatable in one
language to a maximum of 9) Field study project.
The student submits a written report and fulfills other
requirements set up by the instructor. Prerequisite: 6
s.h. of intermediate college German or equivalent.

406 German Civilization and Culture. (3) A survey
of the civilization of the German-speaking people
with particular emphasis on modern developments.
Conducted in German. Prerequisite: GER 224 or
equivalent.

499 Selected Topics in German Language and
Literature. (3, repeatable for different topics to no
maximum)Prerequisite: GER 327 and consent of the
instructor.

JAPANESE (JPN)

121 Elementary Japanese I. (4) (General Education/
Humanities) Development of the four basic skills:
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Not open to
students who have had two years of high school Japanese
without permission of the department chairperson.

122 Elementary Japanese II. (4) (General
Education/Humanities) Continuation of Elementary
Japanese I. Development of listening, speaking, reading,
and writing skills along with cross-cultural insights
and appreciation. Prerequisite: JPN 121 or appropriate
score on placement examination administered by the
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

223 Intermediate Japanese I. (3) (General
Education/Humanities) Continued development of
the four basic language skills with increased emphasis
on reading and culture. Class conducted in Japanese.
Prerequisite: JPN 122 or appropriate score on placement
examination administered by the Department of Foreign
Languages and Literatures.

224 Intermediate Japanese II. (3) (General
Education/Humanities) Continued focus on
idiomatic usage and grammatical and communicative
competency to permit functional communication within
a controlled range of situational contexts; increased
focus on vocabulary building, reading proficiency,
and writing skills. Prerequisite: JPN 223 or appropriate
score on placement examination administered by the
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

PORTUGUESE (PORT)

(Language Skills Courses)

121 Elementary Portuguese I. (4) (General
Education/Humanities) Development of the four
basic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Not open to students who have had two years of high
school Portuguese without permission of the department
chairperson.

SPANISH (SPAN)

(Language Skills Courses)

121 Elementary Spanish I. (4) (General Education/
Humanities) Development of the four basic skills:
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Not open to
students who have had two years of high school Spanish
without permission of the department chairperson.

223 Intermediate Spanish I. (3) (General Education/
Humanities) Continued development of the four basic
language skills with increased emphasis on reading and
culture. Class conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN
122 or appropriate score on placement examination
administered by the Department of Foreign Languages
and Literatures.

302 Spanish for Business. (3) An introduction to
business practices in Spain and Latin America, with
emphasis on business vocabulary, written and oral
communication, and the role of culture and cultural
differences in business transactions. Prerequisite: SPAN
224 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

320 Spanish for Heritage Speakers. (3) Designed
to make heritage speakers of Hispanic background
aware of their cultural origins and the diversity that
exists across Hispanic cultures through intensive
practice in writing, reading, and grammar for heritage
speakers. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID)
course. Prerequisites: ENG 180 and 280, SPAN 224 or
equivalent, and consent of the instructor.

340 Spanish for Law Enforcement. (3) Attention is
focused on oral proficiency in the contexts likely to
be useful to law enforcement personnel. Vocabulary
specific to the profession is taught, as well as practical
cultural information. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or
permission of instructor.

344 Spanish for Social Work. (3) Intensive Spanish
practice through simulations involving real-life
situations in intercultural settings. Provides vocabulary,
idiomatic expressions, and cultural information for
the specific needs of professional social workers.
Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or equivalent, or permission of
instructor.

392 Spanish and Latin American Cinema. (3)
Historical survey of the film industry in Spain and
Latin America, with particular attention to the works of
major filmmakers and genres. Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or
equivalent, or permission of instructor.

401 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics. (3)
Introduction to the main concepts and methods of
linguistic analysis, focusing on the Spanish sound
system, social dynamics, and dialectal variation.
Prerequisite: SPAN 326 or equivalent.

402 Introduction to Spanish Morphology and
Syntax. (3) Introduction to the systematic study of
the morphological and syntactical elements of Spanish
with practice in application. Prerequisite: SPAN 326 or
equivalent.

449 Spanish for Content-Based Instruction. (3) The
study of Spanish vocabulary and phrases for the teaching
of different subjects of the school curriculum including
mathematics, science, social studies, and grammar.
Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or permission of instructor.

457 Contemporary Spanish American Prose. (3)
Selected prose works of major contemporary Spanish
American writers. Prerequisite: SPAN 327 or equivalent.

(Literature and Civilization Courses)

327 Introduction to Hispanic Literature. (3) An
introduction to critical reading and appreciation of
Hispanic literature, surveying representative texts
from major periods and genres. Conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 224 or equivalent.
b

361 Field Study Travel. (1–3, repeatable in one
language to a maximum of 9) Field study project.
The student submits a written report and fulfills other
requirements set up by the instructor. Prerequisite: 6
s.h. of intermediate college Spanish or equivalent.

408 Spanish Civilization and Culture. (3) A survey
of Peninsular civilization from the prehistoric past to the
post-Franco present, emphasizing cultural achievements
of universal significance. Conducted in Spanish.

409 Spanish American Civilization. (3) The study
of fundamental historical and cultural facts concerning
Spanish America; the role of contrasting value
systems of Spanish America and the United States in
intercultural communication. Conducted in Spanish.

452 Spanish Literature of the 19th Century. (3)
Study of major works with emphasis on Romanticism
and Realism. Prerequisite: SPAN 327 or equivalent.

453 The Generation of 1898. (3) Representative works
of the major figures of early twentieth-century Spanish
literature. Prerequisite: SPAN 327 or equivalent.

454 Spanish Literature of the 20th Century. (3)
Study of major works of prose, poetry, and drama from
the Generation of 1898 to the present. Prerequisite:
SPAN 327 or equivalent.

456 Masterpieces of Spanish American Literature.
(3) Selected works of prose, poetry, and drama from
the Colonial period to the present. Prerequisite: SPAN
327 or equivalent.